https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz.atomeduKidz - eduKidz2018-03-17T12:03:00+00:00eduKidzhttps://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/gender-neutral-toys2018-03-17T12:03:00+00:002018-03-17T15:58:52+00:00Why Should We Bother With Gender Neutral Toys?Grant RobertsonTrucks and trains for boys. Dolls and kitchens for girls. This is how gender specific toys have been marketed for decades. But are we finally seeing the end of gender stereotyping toys?

Children, especially those at the beginning of their learning, learn through play. Playing and all that it encompasses is their whole world. The toys that they play with have a massive impact on their mindsets and thought processes.

Gender itself, and what that means to children, is also learnt at this early stage. Western society has made progress in gender equality since the beginning of the 20th century, but when toys are considered it's difficult to agree.

Trucks and trains for boys. Dolls and kitchens for girls. This is how gender specific toys have been marketed for decades. But are we finally seeing the end of gender stereotyping toys?

Children, especially those at the beginning of their learning, learn through play. Playing and all that it encompasses is their whole world. The toys that they play with have a massive impact on their mindsets and thought processes.

Gender itself, and what that means to children, is also learnt at this early stage. Western society has made progress in gender equality since the beginning of the 20th century, but when toys are considered it's difficult to agree. Toys, it would seem, are becoming more and more stereotyped. The traditional gender roles are being further concentrated and even promoted. This doesn't paint a pretty picture, especially when we consider the impact this has on girls' self-image and understanding.

Looking back in time.

In the period between the 1920s and 1950s toys were marketed directly at prescribed gender roles. The "little housewife" and the "young man of industry". The traditional roles weren't only pushed on families and children but they were positively encouraged.

It took until the 1970s, with a resurgence in the feminist movement, for some change to take place. In fact, in America, by 1975 only roughly 2% of toys marketed by Sears (a US catalogue industry giant) were directly marketed at girls or boys. Even Barbie, these days the paragon of pink, wore primary, gender neutral colours.

Unfortunately the 1980s brought back the stereotypes. Television advertisers had their reins loosened and were able to directly appeal to the markets that they wanted to target. Children's television shows aimed solely at one gender started to become more and more prolific. GI Joe and My Little Pony flew the flag of gender stereotyping, and so did the toys that came with them.

This style of marketing is still prevalent in the modern day. Until only recently one could easily browse toy websites using Boys and Girls sections. Even as regularly as 2017 The Disney Store happily promoted products for specific genders with barely any crossover in the Both section. Thankfully this has since been corrected, with every toy now being cross referenced for both. But does this solve the problem? Marketing has a great deal to answer for.

The costs to children are bigger than it might seem on the surface. Construction toys, an eduKidz favourite, are far more likely to be played with by boys than by girls. These toys hold huge benefits for children as they develop, especially when it comes to spatial intelligence (our understanding of the world around us), and girls risk missing out. Even my favourite toy line, LEGO, is guilty of gender stereotyping. Their girl-focused LEGO Friends set required minimal construction and was designed to be used more like a dolls house than a typical building toy.

LEGO is primarily designed to unleash creativity and encourage children to build an active interest in the logical thought processes at the heart of all STEM careers. This range didn't deliver on these core principles. We’ve covered the benefits, of which there are many, LEGO provides to kids in a previous article. It would be a crying shame if only 50% of children were able to reap these benefits. It's not just the adults that are noticing this either as we can see in this letter to LEGO from young Charlotte Benjamin:

If one visits a typical toy shop it can lead to a veritable indoctrination. Pink, kitchens, princesses and beauty for girls. Blue, action heroes, war and bravery for boys. We can clearly see who might lose out here. Girls aren’t even being offered the chance to consider roles outside of those typically mandated to them.

It’s time for a change.

A viral video in 2017 showed the roles that primary children felt were appropriate for them in adult life. By age 11 (the end of primary school) they have very clear ideas about who can do what, and these ideas are difficult to change.

Let's take a minute to watch the film below. The children featured are tasked with drawing 3 professions: a firefighter, a surgeon and a fighter pilot. They are then introduced to 3 people who work in these professions:

There are 2 particular moments that stand out. One, the looks of pure, open mouthed shock when the 3 women walk in. Two, the girl who involuntarily shouts out "They're dressing up!". Gender stereotypes, as the film states, are set between the ages of 5 and 7. During this time toys are incredibly prevalent and children are incredibly open to influence. This is a time to teach open mindedness and freedom of choice rather than channeling and pigeonholing our new generation.

The world is catching up with itself. More and more of the general population no longer stand for gender specific branding and marketing. Leading the charge in the UK, Let Toys Be Toys campaigns for gender neutral toys and an abandonment of stereotypes. Research that they carried out found direct links between gender labeling at an early age and inequality in later life. Their campaign ethos is explained in the following statement:

Toys are for fun, for learning, for stoking imagination and encouraging creativity. Children should feel free to play with the toys that most interest them.

Isn’t it time that shops stopped limiting children’s imagination by telling them what they ought to play with?

In a separate project, two authors researched how many children's books had female leads, female characters with speech and female characters who hold aspirations of their own:

As you can see, the results were dire! Their response to this is a book containing 100 bedtime stories about 100 extraordinary women. It is illustrated by 60 illustrators from around the world. The Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls provides young children the opportunity to learn about and from incredible role models.

Children's laureate Lauren Child (author of the Ruby Redfort series and Charlie and Lola) was questioned on female roles in children's books after being presented with similar research to above:

“The research doesn’t surprise me, we see it in film and TV as well. But it gives out a message about how society sees you. If boys get the starring roles in books – both as the good and bad protagonists – and girls are the sidekicks, it confirms that’s how the world is and how it should be. It’s very hard to feel equal then.”

The issue is not exclusive to girls. Boys face the same stereotyped branding. The Huffington Post found that "Boys were four times more likely to be shown (in a toy catalogue) playing with cars and twice as likely to be shown with construction toys. And a grand total of 97% of children pictured with guns or war toys, were also male." Boys might not want to pretend to kill with guns or work on a construction site. There should be no problem with that.

This article is not trying to persuade girls to play with traditional boys' toys or vice versa. It is trying to state that there should be a choice. If a girl wants to play with a camouflaged jeep and a boy wants to play with a kitchen play set then good for them. Similarly, if a girl wants to play with dolls and a boy with trucks then great. Every child deserves and should have the right to unbiased, uninfluenced choice.

Gender stereotyping is clearly alive and, unfortunately, well. Whilst there have been some concessions to toy branding and marketing there is a long way to go. That said, the emphasis is on retailers to bring about real change. That’s why here at eduKidz we’re practicing what we preach. We can guarantee that you won’t find any gender specific toys, gender specific marketing or gender centric branding on our store. This is my pledge to you for the lifetime of our company.

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https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/what-are-motor-skills2018-02-13T10:00:00+00:002018-02-13T10:01:29+00:00The Fine and The Gross - What are motor skills and why do they matter for children?Grant Robertson
Motor skills are an essential part of everyday activities. They help us move, they help us explore our world and are an important part of a child's development. But what are they?

We've all been there...

I'd like you to imagine you're lying in bed and the alarm goes off, ringing in a new day. Not the nicest of images I know, but bear with me for the sake of this article! You rouse yourself from slumber, step out of bed and make your way down the corridor to the bathroom. You turn the door handle and step inside. After reaching the sink, you take hold of your toothbrush, squeeze out some paste and turn the tap.

We'll stop the daydream there but I'd like you to consider each and every movement you made during that process. Big or small. Some of them are more noticeable, leaping with joy out of bed for instance. Others are more slight, the exact pressure applied to the tube to both receive any toothpaste whilst also avoiding and blue and white sticky mess...

These movements are all honed and refined through thedevelopment of motor skills.

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Motor skills are an essential part of everyday activities. They help us move, they help us explore our world and are an important part of a child's development. But what are they?

We've all been there...

I'd like you to imagine you're lying in bed and the alarm goes off, ringing in a new day. Not the nicest of images I know, but bear with me for the sake of this article! You rouse yourself from slumber, step out of bed and make your way down the hall to the bathroom. You turn the door handle and step inside. After reaching the sink, you take hold of your toothbrush, squeeze out some paste and turn on the tap.

We'll stop the daydream there but I'd like you to consider each and every movement you made during that process. Big or small. Some of them are more noticeable, leaping out of bed with joy for instance. Others are more slight, the exact pressure applied to the tube to both receive any toothpaste whilst also avoiding and blue and white sticky mess...

These movements are all honed and refined through the development of motor skills.

What are motor skills?

Not quite...

The title of this article isn't just a homage to 1960s Western movies. When we discuss motor skills they are defined in two major areas, gross and fine. They are both intrinsically linked and are often used in conjunction with each other.

Definitions

Gross Motor Skills - This set of skills are all about the big movements that we all make. Walking, climbing, jumping, skipping, all of these are gross/bigger motor skills. The best definition would be that gross motor skills are the use of our limbs in a coordinated fashion to achieve a desired movement. In the daydream above, the walking and jumping out of bed represent gross motor movements.

Fine Motor Skills- Fine motor skills relate to small movements that everyone makes using their fingers, wrists, hands, feet and toes. These fine/smaller movements are developed through practise and muscle memory. When we were squeezing the toothpaste or turning the door handle these were fine motor movements.

So when we say motor skills we are discussing coordinated movements. As we see children grow we can clearly see that these don't always come easily. The moment that children begin to crawl, walk and run we see the development of gross motor skills in action. Consider how often you fall over as an adult versus how often a toddler might. Obviously there will be exceptions to this rule but in general by the end of primary school children have developed their skills to enable them to safely move through the world.

Motor Skills Required!

How do fine and gross motor skills develop?

Thankfully motor skills are relatively straight forward to develop. The natural human desire to move around the environment means that, in general, gross motor skills develop first. These skills are not limited to just crawling, walking and running around. Think about riding a bike. There is the pedaling movement, the slight shifts in balance and the turning of the handlebars, each forming a gross motor skill (which is precisely why we encourage all children to learn to ride a bike!)

Fine motor skills tend to be learnt on the basis of necessity. When children begin to feed themselves they learn how to use utensils. When they begin to write they learn how to hold a pencil. Fine motor skills can be "learnt" relatively quickly but take far longer to master. One only needs to compare the handwriting of a child who has just begun to write versus a child who has practised for a few years. You could argue this is natural, the saying is practise makes perfect after all, but that's just it, these skills can't develop without practise!

Developing motor skills, whether fine or gross, is important. It's a natural process but is one which can be helped and improved through guidance and support. Keep an eye out for an article from eduKidz soon including a motor skills development checklist.

Gross motor skills in action!

Activities, games and toys - acquisition of skills by fun!

When learning can take place in a fun, carefree environment, the long term effects will last. As long as children link the learning process with enjoyment then they're far more likely to want to continue that learning process. The development of motor skills is no exception to this.

Fine motor skills such as writing, painting and small object manipulation can all be developed through toys and fun. It doesn't have to be reams and reams of handwriting sheets (although structured handwriting practise does have its place!). Definitely consider having a read of our blog all about how you can encourage writing at home for some great ideas.

The process of learning the fine motor skills associated with writing, drawing and painting are all linked. Furthermore, in this digital world that we live in, children will use these skills to manipulate keyboards and other technical machinery. Providing them a quiet work area, a station designed to encourage their creativity would be the perfect start. A small table station like the Art Table & Chair Set that we stock here at eduKidz would provide for all their writing and creative needs. Click the picture for more info!

Gross motor skills are altogether more active in their learning style. You'll be able to encourage children to complete various physical exercises based on their likes and ability level. Whether it be entire outdoor play areas such as those provided by our Discovery Range of products or learning to propel themselves and balance using our range of brilliant balance bikes.

Here at eduKidz we can't recommend anything better than simply getting outdoors and exploring whilst learning. Climbing, crawling and jumping around outdoors naturally will develop children's motor skills, plus they and you will have a great time whilst doing so! Plus the application of motor skills in sport and games is completely intuitive and instinctive, making them the perfect way to develop your child's skills. If you want to learn more about the benefits of outdoor learning read our popular blog post that explains all about the benefits provided!

Practise makes perfect

Motor skills development in children comes down to regular practise. This practise will come from playing together at home, learning at their school or nursery and simply exploring the world. You can provide them support and aid them in their learning journey.

Are they struggling with handwriting at school? It could be that they haven't developed the strength and dexterity to hold a pencil properly. If it physically hurts (even a small subconscious amount) they won't feel confident and will likely want to avoid practising. Therefore spend time developing their fine motor skills and hand strength. Throwing games, Lego, games with small pieces, all of these will help. Discuss it with your child's teacher, they're certain to have suggestions and will assist them in school.

If you're looking for a selection of great motor skill boosting products then do, please, check out our two motor skills collection for both fineand grossmotor skills.

The development of these skills is a marathon not a sprint. It takes time and patience. With the right care, support and persistence the skills will grow and become as natural as jumping out of bed and brushing your teeth.

To say thank you for reading this far visit ourdiscount code page, enter your email and you'll receive 15% off your first purchase from eduKidz!

The continuation of our parent blogger interviews. This week, Jenny, known for the blogsite The Brick Castle. Lego, family life, collecting smiles and more!

We first got to know Jenny when eduKidz launched. Her site was welcoming and a treasure trove of resources and ideas linked to Lego. She also shared a plethora of stories and life moments related to her family, including how her family has coped with the worst of traumas. She is a wonderfully welcoming, helpful and kind person. I couldn't recommend her site more. Read on to have a glimpse at her story.

The continuation of our parent blogger interviews. This week, Jenny, known for the blogsite The Brick Castle. Lego, family life, collecting smiles and more!

We first got to know Jenny when eduKidz launched. Her site was welcoming and a treasure trove of resources and ideas linked to Lego. She also shared a plethora of stories and life moments related to her family, including how her family has coped with the worst of traumas. She is a wonderfully welcoming, helpful and kind person. I couldn't recommend her site more. Read on to have a glimpse at her story.

eduKidz: Can you introduce yourself and your family to my readers?

Jenny: I'm Jenny and I'm the Mum at The Brick Castle. We have a big family, although some of our older children are adults and have moved out now, we have just 3 left at home - an 18 year old, and 9 and 7 year olds.

eduKidz: Did you always intend to become a full time blogger?

Jenny: Not at all. I have always worked in education before now. I started doing reviews for Orchard Toys and a few others, and only started a blog to host the reviews together. Within months I was reviewing for LEGO, Drummond Park and a few others, and over 5 years it's turned into a full time job.

eduKidz: Lego plays a major role in your blog writing, how did you first get into it?

I've always liked LEGO. I can remember getting the LEGO Family set for my birthday as a child and thinking the figures were the most amazing thing I'd ever seen, but sadly I didn't have enough bricks to build them a house the right size!

eduKidz: In 2014 you became Lego Family Bloggers, how did this change your relationship with Lego?

It's meant we've been able to have some amazing sets that we simply couldn't afford ourselves and introduced us to some interesting LEGO that we might not otherwise have in our collection. Writing about the LEGO we buy and play with does make you think about LEGO differently, and it's changed the way I take photos. I love getting in close and low and finding the character in the minifigures.

eduKidz: What has been the most popular Lego kit in your household?

Crikey! The Simpsons House had a heck of a lot of play, as did the Harry Potter Castle. The Mixels are popular because you can make loads of different mini monsters with them. Overall I think the most loved are the VW Campervan, Metalbeard's Sea Cow and the Ninjago Dragons.

eduKidz: You regularly blog about different Lego activities and we've discussed the benefits of Lego and STEM learning. Why do you think Lego is so beneficial to children's learning?

LEGO is an amazing tool for all aspects of learning and development. From practising grip and building those first towers through to following complicated instructions, designing complex moving models and using your imagination. LEGO can give anyone a confidence in their own ability, which encourages them to keep going. It's a marvellous tool.

I love the fact you can use LEGO for maths. It's such a clear way to teach whole number sums, but it comes into it's own when explaining fractions. There are literally thousands of others, I don't know where to begin! Physics - learn about friction, speed, air resistance etc using a LEGO vehicle and scenery/ramps etc made from LEGO. You can use LEGO for learning weights and measures, volume and size, ratios and averages. My favourite is using LEGO to build houses for minifigures, with to-scale furniture and fittings, I love the designing and the engineering involved in making the model sturdy, but not clunky.

eduKidz: Do check out our blog about the best STEM activities you can do using LEGO!

eduKidz: In 2013 your partner became ill with viral Meningitis. This obviously had a massive affect on you and your family and you shared your thoughts in regular postings. Do you have any advice for families in a similar situation, whether adult or child?

Firstly if you suspect Meningitis then don't wait - a rash means damage has already been done. If someone seems to have the worst hangover ever and hasn't done anything to deserve it, and it is'nt going away, they really need to go to A&E.

My partner has some permanent damage from his Meningitis, and he was unable to concentrate for a few weeks afterwards. We actually measured his progress using LEGO and used it as therapy. He re-built some of his favourite sets and as time went on he was able to stay awake and concentrate for longer periods, and tackle trickier sets. It was around 6 months before he was as 'back to himself' as he was going to be. It's a slow recovery and at times frustrating, but even 4 years down the line we occasionally realise something has improved. Brains take a lot of fixing.

eduKidz: Collecting Smiles is a regular blog post on your page, could you explain a bit more about this feature?

In August 2014 we lost one of our teenagers to suicide. It broke all of us. Smiles were incredibly rare at first and whenever anyone managed a smile we were all reminded we can be happy, we can find joy again. I posted a couple of smiles on my blog and the next month posted some more. When I felt everything was too hard, I looked back at them and reminded myself I could do it. I really needed that. I've carried on saving them and seen them multiply in size and number. They are the reason and reminder why we carry on.

eduKidz: What are you looking forward to most in 2018?

I don't know. I have no plans. We're intending a holiday again - we went camping in France last year and had a genuine break for the first time in 5 years. It was long overdue and we are still feeling the benefit.

eduKidz: Is there one thing that you would love for people to know about how Lego has impacted your family life?

LEGO has been therapy for us all. The time spent creating something that looks great is never wasted. Whether you are relaxing, playing, feeling down, treating yourself or recovering from a brain injury, LEGO building is perfect.

We'd love to take this opportunity to say thanks to Jenny for sharing her story. Make sure to visit her site at The Brick Castleand find her on social media!

To say thank you for reading this far visit ourdiscount code page, enter your email and you'll receive 15% off your first purchase from eduKidz!

There's a great, big world out there. It's ripe for exploring and, in our opinion, it's our role as adults to ensure that we instill a passion for the outdoors for our children. Whether you're a parent, a grandparent, a teacher or a friend, children simply won't build an interest in the outdoors without enthusiasm and active interest from adults. But how can we do this? Is it as simple as just getting outdoors for a walk or stroll?

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Come rain or shine, snow or sun, there's always time to reap the benefits of outdoor learning. Explore the environment, get ideas, have new experiences. Read on to see what they are!

There's a great, big world out there. It's ripe for exploring and, in our opinion, it's our role as adults to ensure that we instill a passion for the outdoors for our children. Whether you're a parent, a grandparent, a teacher or a friend, children simply won't build an interest in the outdoors without enthusiasm and active interest from adults. But how can we do this? Is it as simple as just getting outdoors for a walk or stroll?

In some ways, yes! That might well be all it takes. Regularly getting outdoors and seeing what the world has to hold is a great start point for children. In the rest of this article we'll outline the benefits that children will receive when they're part of outdoor learning, and we'll also give you some examples of what you can do to make the outdoors exciting!

Getting messy and getting muddy! Perfect in the UK!

We spend our entire adult lives trying to make sure we don't get muddy or our houses don't get messy. Clean your room! Wipe your feet! Wash your hands! I'm not about to launch into suggestions that we all abandon our clean homes for anarchy... I promise! That said, I do feel there is definitely a time and place for getting muddy and messy.

As most of you well know, when children are babies they learn through touching and feeling their way around the world. The same can be said for children of an older age. When children get hands on with the world around them they learn far quicker. A great deal of children are kinaesthetic learners*. This means they learn through doing and learn through tactile objects. When we take children outdoors and let them climb the trees, jump in the puddles and squelch the mud they absorb all of the information about the world around them.

When you're out on a walk, resist the urge to stop kids from climbing into that tree or leaping into that mud. Clothes will clean, scrapes will heal and fun will be had! That said, when teaching forest school my general rule is only climb as high as you can get yourself down. Climb higher than that and you'll have to work it out yourself... Generally speaking, kids don't want to be stuck in a tree forever!

*For more information about learning styles and VAKS learning visit this informative Wiki

Screen breaks with outdoor learning activities.

As a world we are now surrounded, immersed and dependent on screens. Phones, computers, televisions to name only the obvious few! Screen's aren't going to go away, and if anything they'll become more and more commonplace. We need to make sure that children have ample time away from screens and see screen breaks as a necessary habit.

In 2005 author Richard Louv wrote the book Last Child in the Woods. This book coined the phrase "nature-deficit disorder." The idea is that children spending less time outdoors directly correlates with an increase in behavioural difficulties. The actual lack of time in nature can affect children's well-being. Now this isn't a formal medical diagnosis but it does speak at a level which is certainly worth considering.

Consider, too, the decision by the publisher of the Oxford Junior Dictionary to replace dozens of nature-related words like “beaver” and “dandelion” with “blog” and “MP3 player.” - Louv, 2009

If we can get children outdoors Louv argues that we'll see a decrease in problems with attention span, obesity and more.

Learning to love nature and learning to love each other

Working together in teams outdoors creates bonds, friendships and promotes teamwork at an incredibly rapid rate. I've seen children who describe themselves as 'enemies' work fantastically together to create a bug hotel during a forest school session. I've witnessed the child who hurts and kicks be the lynchpin of a group's success.

There's something about the outdoors (and forgive me for thinking that perhaps it is because it's no longer the norm) that gets children motivated. They work together, they're excited to explore and are more inclined to resolve any conflicts that arise.

Family bonding through shared activities and experiences

I'm a big advocate of the family camping trip. Maybe it's the cramped conditions, the opportunities for games and adventure or the sense of teamwork that you get as a family unit, there are endless benefits to it.

Camping isn't an expensive holiday and it can be over a short weekend. You don't have the travel the length and breadth of the country to find a good spot. It could even be in your own garden!

If you take the leap and explore outside of your towns and cities there are incredible opportunities to reap the benefits of. You could take a walk and see what nature you come across, play a game of Pooh sticks over a river, skim pebbles, fly a kite, build a den, climb trees, have a campfire, play some games. And if you make it to a beach-side campsite the opportunities for fun are even more so!

For a longer term solution, and for the cost of a family camping weekend, your kids could have their own adventure play zone in your own garden! Our Discovery range of products by the wonderful Plum Play are a brilliant set of resources for outdoor learning. They get kids interested in planting, growing, climbing, exploring to name but a few. To learn more click on the image below.

Simply living and being out in nature is a wonderful benefit in itself.

If you're interested in some great ideas for days out, keen on exploring the rural side of the UK or want to see how another family is loving life outdoors I'd highly recommend having a read of Natalie's blog over at Plutonium Sox. She regularly blogs about family life and shares her take on "days out, travel and rural life. The ordinary moments that make our lives extraordinary."

Health and happiness proven by outdoor learning research

The long term benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle have long been proved by researchers and scientists around the world. Children who have regular exposure to nature and the outdoors have been proven to be more resilient to illnesses and have lower levels of stress and anxiety.

Furthermore, exposure to sunlight means that children have increased Vitamin D intake which improves bone strength as well as vision. I know that this isn't always a given in the UK... therefore the more the better! Remember to always take appropriate cautions on the days where we have strong sunlight!

It's time to get outdoors!

However you do it, wherever you do it, whenever you do it I cannot implore you enough to ensure that our children get outdoors. The benefits are numerous and widespread, and they're too important to let go by the wayside.

As a final point, our world is in trouble and chances are that it's our fault. If we can develop generations of children with a passion for the outdoors and the environment as a whole, maybe we stand a chance of saving it.

I'm sure that many of you have just read this article and feel content that you're on the right track and your kids are regularly loving the outdoors! If that's you, thank you for reading! Please comment your suggestions on great activities you can do with your kids outdoors and share them with our other readers!

To say thank you for reading this far visit ourdiscount code page, enter your email and you'll receive 15% off your first purchase from eduKidz!

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https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/the-benefits-of-role-play-for-children2018-01-11T05:25:00+00:002018-01-31T11:49:26+00:00The Benefits of Role Play for ChildrenGrant Robertson
Children love to play. They especially love to play and pretend to be someone or something else. But what are the benefits of role play for children?

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Children love to play. They especially love to play and pretend to be someone or something else. But what are the benefits of role play for children?

In this article I'll go over the general benefits of role play, then I'll look at how role play can work alongside numeracy and literacy. Finally I'll explain how role play can take place at home and outdoors- and it can always be fun!

When working in the classroom role play is a key area of early years learning and across the primary curriculum. It isn't unusual for people to assume that role play might take place in a Reception classroom and then not beyond. This assumption is, unfortunately, often seen in teaching practise too. The children's role play costumes make way for textbooks and the role play area is replaced by a working wall. However it doesn't have to be this way and there are (I'm sure!) thousands of teachers who include role play as a focus in their classrooms.

An amazingly awesome dinosaur role play area!

I'm here to be an advocate for role play at home and to encourage parents to keep it available as an option. Arguably role play is an easier play style to encourage at home because children have access to all of their toys and can choose dependent on their moods!

The Benefits of Role Play - What are they?

Although it might just appear to be play for playing's sake, there are a plethora of benefits which are sometimes hidden and sometimes plain to see when your child is role playing. It could be physically, mentally or socially:

﻿Cognitive Development - When children engage with role play toys or dress up in clothes they are encouraging their brains to develop. They have to access memories about how to act and call upon their knowledge of appropriate behaviour dependent on the situation they are pretending to be in. They might be acting as a teacher and this will require them to access memories from school, then consider the role they want to play, and then enact that role accurately.

Social Interaction - Working in a group isn't always straight forward. Even as adults there are many scenarios where team work isn't easy. Role play teaches children how to work together, developing turn-taking skills and cooperation.

Vocabulary Building - Children could be acting as policemen, or chefs, or mechanics, or shop assistants- each of these uses a different vocabulary set and every scenario that they're in requires a new set of words. These words then get stored in the child's vocabulary to be accessed in future conversations.

Empathy - Empathy is a skill that blossoms when it's nurtured in children. Role play, by its very design, encourages children to see the world through another person's eyes. They will be able to empathise with the people they interact with in a shop or with the policeman on the street or even their own parents!

Emotions - A similar skill set to empathy; through learning and playing in different roles children can practise different emotions. They are exposed to a wide variety of different emotions on a daily basis through television, the internet and real life. Some of these emotions can be scary and intimidating for children. By playing with them in role play they can understand them and overcome any fears they might have.

Role Play for Maths and Literacy

This is a classroom favourite but is easily replicated at home. It can be as simple as kids pretending to be a shopkeeper and charging you extortionate prices for their, frankly, ordinary products. There are hundreds of toys out there to help facilitate this style of play. A simple cash register, a few products and that's all they need.

When children are ready to use numbers there are a huge variety of activities that they can carry out. The most typical will be receiving money and providing change. This is a relatively difficult skill, especially when working with more than 1 digit numbers. This would make a great role play activity for children in Year 2 or above. Simply playing with money and coins and getting used to the interactions and processes involved will grant children greater confidence when dealing with mathematical situations.

At a lower level, a role play activity for preschoolers would be to simply ask them for an amount of coins or an amount of an item. "Can I have 3 apples please?" will encourage and develop basic counting skills which will give them a perfect start to maths skills.

A great starting product would be our Casdon Cash Register, it has all the items needed for them to start playing immediately! It's perfect to create a children's role play centre at home. This one even has a chip and pin card with it! Click on the image to learn more.

When it comes to literacy there are a variety of ways to create a role play environment for your kids. In fact, we wrote a blog all about how to encourage writing at home. Rather than rehashing it click on the picture below and have see what tips we have:

Role Play at home and outdoors

The great thing about playing at home is that there doesn't have to be (and nor should there always be!) a defined purpose. The best part of role playing at home is that children aren't even aware that they are developing these skills. It all happens naturally and subconsciously.

That's not to say that you can't help things along a little. When kids have a collection of kitchen tools or a mechanics play set they naturally begin to role play with these toys. The same can be said for the outdoors. Give them the ability to build a den or a castle and chances are it'll happen! Children have a way of developing role play without even thinking about it!

Probably the coolest mechanics role play area ever.

When children role play at home they are encouraged to use their imagination. As adults we are forced to use our imaginations every day to problem solve, to research and to create. When you're sat reading a good book, no one has shown you what you're supposed to see (unless you're someone who watches the film before reading the book!) and it's from a background of imaginative play that we have the skill set to do this.

If you're looking for a quick start to getting your kids role playing and learning through play then consider having a look at our role play collection. You can access it through the menu above or you can click on the image below!

If you combine this home-based play with learning outdoors then you're onto a sure winner. There are huge benefits to learning outdoors. We recently wrote a blog post all about these benefits, read the excerpt below and click on the picture to learn more.

"As most of you well know, when children are babies they learn through touching and feeling their way around the world. The same can be said for children of an older age. When children get hands on with the world around them they learn far quicker. A great deal of children are kinaesthetic learners. This means they learn through doing and learn through tactile objects. When we take children outdoors and let them climb the trees, jump in the puddles and squelch the mud they absorb all of the information about the world around them."

Time to reap the benefits of role play

This is just starting to scrape the surface of the huge benefits that children can gain from learning through role play. Give them the right tools and the right environment and they will do all the hard work themselves! Have you had good (or bad!) experiences with role play? Have you got an amazing role play corner? Let us know in the comment below!

To say thank you for reading this far visit ourdiscount code page, enter your email and you'll receive 15% off your first purchase from eduKidz!

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https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/learn-how-to-ride-a-bike2017-12-31T07:03:00+00:002018-01-10T08:17:06+00:00Top tips to help your children learn how to ride a bikeGrant Robertson

The saying goes, "It's just like riding a bike..." Well what if you haven't learnt yet? Most kids will, at some point, learn how to ride a bike. But how can you help them?

Riding a bike develops, unlocks or improves a wide variety of skills that every child could benefit from;

Coordination

Balance

Proprioceptive response

Developing core strength

Before we explore how to assist your child in their learning journey let's look into these skills in detail.

Coordination

Coordination is also referred to as your gross motor skills, how you use your arms and legs separately or together. In this instance, children will be focusing on using both their legs to pedal along. Coordination is naturally used throughout all humans entire lives, obviously making it an invaluable skill.

Balance

This is core when children learn how to ride a bike. It also develops their overall balancing skills. Balance naturally grows as they grow themselves, but learning to ride a bike accelerates this process.

Proprioceptive response

Proprioception is the term used to explain how your body understands the space that it is in and how to safely move around it. Children living with additional needs such as ADHD often have enhanced proprioception needs. This might mean they will enjoy deep tissue massage, gym activities and, of course, riding a bike!

Developing Core Strength

Those gym goers amongst you will be aware that core strength refers to the muscles around the 'core' or midriff of your body. These muscles enable you to carry out greater physical tasks and ensure that your back is aligned properly. If children develop these muscles early then they are less likely to encounter problems in later life.

Helping your child learn to ride

So what can you, as parents, do to help your child learn how to ride a bike?

Usually children learn to ride a bike at some stage between the ages of 3 and 6. Generally they start off on ride-on toys or trikes. These options are great to allow them to get used to pedals and the beginnings of balance. But beware, it is easy to assume that if a child can comfortably use the pedals on a trike or ride on they will be able to use them on a bicycle.

We love the Galileo Strollcycle. It's an amazingly adaptive stroller and tricycle that offers you 4-in-1 usability. See the video below for more information.

Whilst riding on a trike your child will be pushing forwards and down on the pedals, this helps them move forward as the pedals are directly attached to the wheels. When they move onto a bicycle, and a chain system is involved, the motion required is more of a downward style. This means they won't necessarily feel that the pedals are the same!

Plus once they get onto a bike things get a whole lot more scary! They are higher, less balanced and can feel that they will hurt themselves quicker. And whilst stabilisers make getting onto the bike straightforward they can, in the long run, make it even more scary when they come off!

So where to start?

It has finally happened. After a walk through the park or along your street your child has spotted another child on a bike and is now incessantly demanding a new bike! This is brilliant! It's time to embrace the enthusiasm and strike when the iron is hot!

The best place to start is with balance bikes. There are many varied versions of balance bikes, some are designed to replicate larger classic bikes and others focus on style and fun.

Balance bikes are genius in their simplicity. By removing the tricky pedals children have less to worry about and are then able to focus on balancing and their forward momentum. Pushing their feet against the ground propels them forward and allows them to gain confidence.

Be wary of hills! These bikes are only suitable on flat ground such as a lawn or even your corridor if you're feeling brave. They have no brakes at all, but as they gain understand how the bikes work children will use their ingenuity to slow themselves down. Whilst this is all learning in action, you might go through shoes quicker than you used to... A great benefit of the bikes above is that they both come with an adjustable seat height, so they grow as your kids do.

These balance bikes fit perfectly into the gap between trike/ride on and bicycle. They might wonder where the pedals are initially, but if you explain that these are for children to learn on before they get a big kid's bike then they'll take to it without question!

Balance benefits achieved! What's next?

Your child is zooming around on their balance bike and they seem ready to move on. What's the next step? Now is the right time to invest in that first big kid's bike! Once you've selected a pedal bike (don't forget to check out the brilliant infograph to guide you through purchasing below) it's time to get started.

First find a spot with a slight incline and make sure that it is grassy! There's no need more scuffed knees and hands on the first go! You could also get them to use some knee and elbow pads but these can sometimes restrict their movement making the whole process more difficult.

Step 1: Stand behind your child and hold onto the back of their seat. At this point you are their balance and speed anchor. The more you hold the more stable they'll be.

Step 2: Gradually begin to release the tension and allow them more and more freedom. If you feel them overbalancing in one particular direction feel free to adjust them back, but make sure you keep speaking to them and telling them what you're doing and why.

Step 3: Encourage them to pedal quickly rather than slowly. Firstly, faster moving objects are easier to balance on. This might sound backwards but it's true! Think about riding a bike that's just started moving versus balancing when you're gliding along. This is all down to balanced and unbalanced forces acting on the bike. If you're feeling the physics vibes here, have a read over at Mental Floss for more information. Furthermore, the more effort and speed the put into a movement the faster their brain will learn it as a motor activity stimulating their proprioceptive experience. They'll focus more on what they are doing rather than fear.

Step 4: Let them go!

Safety

Make sure that your child is always wearing a well fitted helmet and is visible if riding in darker conditions. This is an absolute must. Make sure that you check their bikes as if you were checking your own. That includes tyre pressure, equipment and if the brakes are working effectively. Sharing with them the details of the Highway Code can also be beneficial. If you're looking at road riding in the future we can highly recommend that you look into a cycle proficiency course that is being run in your local area. A quick Google search should provide numerous results.

It's as easy as...

There will be falls, there will be crashes, there may be tears. But it's all worth it in the end! They will have learnt a valuable skill that they'll be able to use for life! It's as easy as riding a bike.

Here is a bonus infograph all about buying an appropriate bike for your child, from the bike gurus Wiggle.co.uk

Pinable image for all your pinning needs:

To say thank you for reading this far, visit ourdiscount code page, enter your email and you'll receive 15% off your first purchase from eduKidz!

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https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/mummy-tries2017-12-19T13:35:00+00:002018-01-21T11:11:02+00:00Interview with Mummy Tries - passionate mother, home educator, foodie and author.Grant RobertsonWe really enjoyed talking with Reneé and learning her story. Her site is full of fascinating stories, brilliant recipes and advice for parents. She is mother to 3 children, Polly, Clara and Freddy. Reneé regularly blogs about her daughter Polly and living with autism. It is this particular aspect of her life which the following interview focuses on.

In a series of blogs over the coming months, we'll be interviewing parent bloggers and asking them to share their stories with you. This week, Reneé, known for the blogsite Mummy Tries.

We really enjoyed talking with Reneé and learning her story. Her site is full of fascinating stories, brilliant recipes and advice for parents. She is mother to 3 children, Polly, Clara and Freddy. Reneé regularly blogs about her daughter Polly and living with autism. It is this particular aspect of her life which the following interview focuses on.

eduKidz: Can you introduce yourself and your children to my readers?

As the name of my blog suggests, I'm a mummy trying my hardest to ensure that my children have a good start to life, a start that I didn't haveand had no intention of replicating. I've worked relentlessly over the years to ensure that the cycle of dysfunction was well and truly broken before having children, and wrote my first book Become the Best You to help others break their own cycles. My husband and I have Polly who is eight and was diagnosed high functioning autistic in 2015, Clara who is six and Freddy who is four.

Available on Amazon

eduKidz:What kind of sensory issues does Polly deal with everyday?

The best way I can describe it is that Polly has heightened senses and experiences life deeper than her peers. She needs to know what is on the agenda for the day/week/month which helps her process what's in store and work through any issues that might arise in advance. There is always a fine line between being suitably entertained and being overwhelmed - P loves new experiences, but also needs time out afterwards to reflect on them. We have to be careful to limit tablet time to around an hour a day, because too much of the small screen is a trigger for her. All manor of things can be a trigger - at one point having a bath was too much sensory stimulation. It's clear to me now when P is feeling overwhelmed, and I'll do everything I can to help her overcome it, usually by diverting her attention towards a structured activity.

eduKidz:What type of resources or toys have been great at supporting her learning journey?

We have a drawer full of sensory toys, which featured daily for around a year, but Polly needs to use them much less these days. We do a lot of play dough and slime making which are great sensory activities, and the children love kinetic sand and LEGO. The pens and colouring books are always out, and there usually at least one masterpiece of art work being created. Other winners for us have been the fidget cube, play foam and mini trampoline which we had in our lounge until the summer when it got moved to the garden.

eduKidz: Do check out our blog about the best STEM activities you can do using LEGO!

eduKidz:You regularly blog about the impact food has had on your life and share recipes. How has this love of food affected raising your children?

I changed my own eating habits dramatically in 2007 after I was told that I was infertile following a PCOS diagnosis. I researched my new condition and discovered the role that sugar plays in it, so figuring I had nothing to lose went refined sugar free without expectations. I fell pregnant with Pollywithin eighteen months, and I do not for a second think this was a coincidence. I strongly believe that food is medicine, and it's so important to give our children the best nutrition possible to ensure they have healthy immune systems for the future. We eat a mostly organic, cooked from scratch diet free of gluten, grains and refined sugar.

I started teaching myself how to cook when I was twenty one, and over the years I've come to truly adore being in the kitchen. Of my three children, Polly's the one who has the cooking bug, and bakes something most days. She makes the bestchocolate cakeon the planet, and you would never guess that it's free from.

eduKidz: What has been the hardest thing for you to deal with when advocating for your daughter?

I try not to get too caught up in what other people think, so tend to let general ignorance go over my head. It's when close friends and family don't get it that it stings. As we home educate, we are fortunate to bypass a lot of the fighting that usually goes on with school and services. We've had a very tough couple of years, but there is light finally shining at the end of the long tunnel, and I can see the progress we've made.

eduKidz:What is the greatest moment to date that you have had with your child?

This is a really tough one to answer, because in among the grindingly hard days, we've had a lot of awesome moments. Polly properly swimming without armbands this summer was a big deal, as was starting juijitsu classes at the beginning of the year. She won a prize at our community Halloween party for her fab - and very bloody - vampire costume (up until this year she wouldn't entertain the idea of going as anything but a witch in a standard dress). She also won a prize for her amazing bake at another party - the chocolate cake I mentioned covered in tiny meringues, which took her hours(here's a photo on Instagram). This time last year she was terrified of dogs, now she desperately wants one. So many small victories to celebrate.

eduKidz:Is there one thing that you would love for people not familiar with raising an autistic child to know?

Autism isn't the end of the world, it's a different way of looking at the world, and that can be a truly beautiful thing.

We'd love to take this opportunity to say thanks to Reneé for sharing her story. Make sure to visit her site at Mummy Tries and find her on social media!

To say thank you for reading this far visit our discount code page, enter your email and you'll receive 15% off your first purchase from eduKidz!

Here at eduKidz we pride ourselves on stocking the very best in quality educational toys. But which are our best selling educational toys for Christmas this year? In this article we'll explore their benefits and their features.

This Christmas you'll be on the search for the very best toys you can find for your kids. You want toys with excellent features and wonderful benefits which are also fun for your kids. eduKidz has a brilliant range of educational toys, a variety of toys in our range have quickly become our best sellers thanks to their learning value and the enjoyment they provide your kids.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson is one of my all time favourite books. With this gift set your lucky little one will receive a copy of the book and a plush little Gruffalo or mouse (or both!) inside a beautifully made personalised carry bag. A personalised set increases your child's sense of ownership. With this empowered feeling they are certain to engage with the book and begin their lifelong love of reading. The set is also perfect for bedtime stories which are a hugely important time of the day as we covered in a recent blog which you can read all about using the link below.

For the trendy rider this Christmas. The benefits of learning to ride a bike early are huge. Increased independence, a boost to balance and promoting perseverance to name but a few. Why not get children to develop this skill whilst enjoying being the coolest kid on the block at the same time?! If only I was smaller I would love to have a miniature Vespa to cruise around on. Made from solid wooden material and with an adjustable seat so that the balance bike grows as your child does.

Packed full of tools and gadgets so that your little ones can be the greatest DIYers just like Mum and Dad! We love these workbenches, not least because they have a massive range of accessories to play with including 7 tools, and a mechanical drill! Absolutely perfect for mini creative geniuses the land over. The kit even includes ideas for inventions or they could simply build their own. When children see their parents carrying out roles it is natural for them to mimic this during their play, why not support this with toys that benefit the developmental roleplay. What better a way to spend the Christmas afternoons?

Not a single item but a collection of items. Since we have been hosting The Discovery Collection it has proved popular with families the whole country over. People are embracing the mud and the mess and getting outdoors with Discovery. The world renown Plum Play provide products of wonderful quality for both indoor and outdoor play, we love being able to share their collections with you. The Discovery series itself promotes outdoor play and exploring nature, whether it be cooking up a woodland feast with the Mudpie Kitchen, painting a masterpiece using the Create-and-Play Easel or learning, growing and climbing with the magnificent Woodland Treehouse. Explore the outdoors, develop a love of nature and help kids grow into adults who love our world.

Perfect for a quiet Christmas afternoon, or any afternoon, or any time of day for that matter! The beautifully crafted, dutifully decorated and perfectly playable Wooden Fortress Playset enables the bravest of little medieval knights to play to their heart's content. We love these playsets thanks to their collection of accessories and ease of portability (Thanks to the handy handle!). Roleplay is a brilliant activity for children developing their language skills, creativity and social skills when playing with friends. It even includes a working drawbridge which acts as the front of the castle, now tell me that isn't cool!

That video shows you just how amazing the Galileo Strollcycle actually is. We're so excited to have it in stock and so have our customers. People have commented how satisfied they've been with the easy way that it can be converted and carried, the developmental stages it allows children as they learn to ride and the wonderful ergonomic features. As we mentioned previously with the balance bikes learning to ride has huge benefits for your children. The Strollcycle is a brilliant introduction from a young age whilst providing you with peace of mind for their safety.

Whatever you end up sharing with your family will be wonderful!

After all Christmas is a time to share with each other and be thankful for each other's company. It's a time for kids, adults, young and old to have fun, share their love and enjoy the season.

Let us take this opportunity to wish you, one and all, a very Merry Educational Christmas!

Holidays are coming! Christmas is almost upon us and thousands of parents are wondering what they should ask Santa to bring their children. Educational toys for Christmas provide both fun and learning. Which are our top 5?

Christmas is probably what the majority of kids consider to be the most fun time of the year. But what if it could be educational too? A time for having lots of fun, and learning too. I'm not about to suggest an extra dose of phonics or sums on Christmas morning but I will suggest the following educational toys and activity sets. I love them all, not only because they're educational but because I've seen children enjoying them immensely!

Note that some links provided are for products available from us here at eduKidz, others will direct you to external websites. Go ahead and click on the images to learn more about each Christmas idea!

Cubetto - Amazon

Perfect for any children who are of primary school age. The Cubetto early coding toys from Primo toys are just wonderful. There has recently been a huge drive by the Department for Education aimed at encouraging more and more children to become engaged in coding and computer programming. The Cubetto series of products is a perfect introduction to this world. The Cubetto is especially unique because even though children are learning to code, there are no screens or keyboard involved. Using some clever technology children code using only simple wooden pieces that attach to the coding board, which in turn delivers instructions to the little Cubetto robot. The expanse of activities that your little ones can take part in with this product is vast. You'll likely need to help them get started, but frankly you'll likely enjoy it just as much as they will!

Terrace Wooden Play Kitchen - eduKidz

The Terrace Wooden Play Kitchen, by Plum Play, from eduKidz is a master in the role play world. This is a beautifully put together wooden play centre which has excellently crafted resources including a variety of utensils, storage of different sizes and is decorated using bright and colourful pictures. Role play is an important part of growing up and learning through play. As children play in a role play environment they begin to explore how different people interact with the world, that is to say that they develop empathy. Plus who wouldn't want to enjoy pretending to whip up a gourmet feast for the whole family?!

Guinness Book of World Records - Amazon

I couldn't go through this list without including a book. I know that technically it doesn't count as a 'toy' in the traditional sense, but I can remember spending hours and hours pouring over my annual Guinness Book of World Records book every Christmas and the following days, weeks, months. The sheer volume of fascinating facts and mind boggling information is a must-have for any young mind wanting to learn more about the world. I remember reading about the tallest and most dangerous peaks, the deepest space exploration, the smallest creatures and so much more. If you want to peak your little ones interest I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Discovery Woodland Treehouse - eduKidz

Now this would be the present to beat all presents. Imagine being the kid who wakes up to find their own personal woodland treehouse playground in the garden? Yes it isn't a budget present, and yes it will require you to assemble it (remember the hat and gloves!) but what a reward it will be. The Discovery Woodland Treehouse, by Plum Play, from eduKidz is an amazing piece of kit. It has been, quite literally, designed from the ground up with your child's education and learning in mind. It has a plethora of features, our favourite being the mini eco-centre which allows them to plant, grow and explore their own plants! Exploring the outdoors and our environment couldn't be more important in this day and age. If we can encourage children to embrace nature and all it has to offer then they will grow into adults motivated to protect and care for it.

Horrible Science, Explosive Experiments - Amazon

We absolutely love the Horrible Science series of books, and all the other subjects that they cover. They are an easily accessible and fun way of exploring some deep and serious learning concepts. The Horrible Science sets are a great compliment to the books and provide a great fun hands-on approach to science experiments. In this particular set your kids will be able to erupt volcanoes, launch a rocket high into the sky and so much more. We love this set because it includes some of the most exciting home science experiments you can create, all in one useful kit, which will begin to encourage and foster a love of STEM learning.

Each of these toys and gifts that we've selected have been selected because we believe that your kids will not only love and enjoy using them but also because they'll have a lasting impact on their learning and education.

If you've found something that you think will compliment this list let us know in the comments below, if it's brilliant we can add it to our list and give you credit! We're always interested in finding new and exciting educational toys and learning resources!

Christmas is all about Nerf guns, Playstation, X-Box and Hatchimals right? Those are the cool toys. On the chance that you buy an educational toy for Christmas does this mean you're the boring parents?

It's Christmas morning. Everyone is up at the crack of dawn. The excitement in the air is so thick you could slice it with a knife as if you were cutting into the Christmas pudding early. You blearily open you eyes at 5:30am as someone thumps onto the bed, you can see the sparkle in their eyes. Santa has been! It turns out they were good this year! And now it's your turn to give your gifts.

The reaction everyone wants to see!

Ripping the wrapping with ease, they tear at the packaging. Staring back at them, the educational toy that you spent hours researching online. It'll boost their motor skills, build their language confidence or increase their ability in x y or z. You're proud of yourself, it's Christmas day and you've provided your child with a fun yet educational toy.

What happens next?

The shouting, loud, neon adverts on television will have you think that you'll be met by disregard, tears and sulks. The reality couldn't be further from the truth.

Long story short, no. No it does not make you the boring parents to buy an educational toy for Christmas.

I remember when I was the kid bouncing down the corridor to my parent's bedroom. I was that kid who had dreamt of Nerf guns, of Nintendo game consoles and Stretch Armstrong. With glee and excitement I unwrapped... a globe. This wasn't what I expected. Being British, even at 9, I was polite and received it without getting upset. In fact I was excited. It turned out that that globe became my favourite present, in fact I still have it today, it even came into school with me and sat proudly in my classroom.

That Christmas day I spent hours pouring over the different countries, amazed at the size of the world and the tiny place names. I crudely pronounced unusual place names, Honduras, Uzbekistan, Côte d'Ivoire, barely any of them correctly but I was exploring. Sat there, in my parents living room, I was travelling the globe. Right there and then a lifelong love of exploring the world began.

All of that from a simple educational toy.

I'd highly recommend a globe as a Christmas gift, based off my own childhood experience. These are my favourite available on Amazon now, click the pictures to learn more:

When discussing this topic with a friend recently they vehemently declared that, "Anyone who gets their kid a learning toy for Christmas might as well call themselves the Grinch!" Harsh words indeed. We discussed further and shortly thereafter the same friend let slip that their favourite ever Christmas present was a Lego Technic Barcode Truck. Readers of this blog will know my feelings on Lego and learning... we talked for a long time over how they designed different models, created new solutions to problems when building and programmed it to carry out various commands.

Now this is what I call a cool Lego set!

If that isn't STEM learning then I don't know what is.

The very best educational toys are designed to be fun at the same time. Take, for instance, the Terrace Wooden Play Kitchen (crafted by Plum Play) that we have here at eduKidz. This is a play set designed for fun, you can tell just from looking at it. If I was the kid unwrapping this on Christmas morning, I'd be happier than relaxing Rudolph on Christmas Day morning.

Role play in action, complete with Mum and Dad's stock supplies...

Yet here we have a toy that has been designed with education right at its heart. Role play has long been used in schools as a fantastic form of learning. Walk into any Reception class around the country (or indeed world) and you can be sure to find the dressing up box, a miniature till and more. There are, quite literally, hundreds of reasons role play is amazing for child development. Rather than list them here the rather brilliant website ExpatWoman.com has done so for me on this link. The greatest reason that I agree with from their list is that role play "Allows children to explore, investigate andexperiment." I could not agree more. When children role play they can explore the world from a different angle, building empathy skills with the role they are playing. When children are investigating and experimenting they are learning, and role play opens up these avenues.

I'm not saying don't buy the Nerf guns or the video games, they definitely have their place and can be educational in their own right. Who's to say Nerf guns don't teach strategy and team work?!

That said, as you sit and look at their Christmas lists over the coming weeks I would request that you consider the approach I've discussed above. There is certainly space for educational learning toys and I promise you won't be disappointed with the results.

The beauty of Lego is that it can be used for such a huge variety of activities. But how can Lego and STEM work together in education harmony?

First things first, not everyone may have heard of the current educational buzzword, STEM. STEM is a handy way of bundling together some of the most important learning areas in education today. Science. Technology. Engineering. Maths. These 4 areas are historically some of the least-followed areas of academia, especially in the UK. You only need to look at university applications and advertising to see where the gaps are. Governments and educators across the globe are trying to ensure that all children are provided with the opportunities to gain interest in (and therefore possibly a desire to enter a career in) STEM.

We need scientists. We need engineers. We need designers and technicians. Hence the push for more and more children to explore STEM. Lego lends itself to STEM fantastically, it can be used in hundreds and thousands of different ways. Below is just a taster and our top 4 Lego STEM activities.

So here we go!

LEGO STEM projects

Balloon Rocket Cars

Our first Lego STEM activity is probably our favourite! I first came across balloon rocket cars when teaching trial and error to a Year 3 class a few years ago. Quite simply you build a car from paper and wooden skewers with milk bottle caps for wheels. They worked well but using Lego is a far more elegant solution!

The best thing about these balloon cars is that they encourage trial and error investigations. Car didn't go as fast as you wanted? Change it! Car span in a particular way? Edit it!

You can race them, have long distance competitions with them, there are hundreds and thousands of different combinations!

One of our favourite bloggers The Dad Lab shows us how in this video:

Lego Number Sums

Lego, very handily, has their trademark spots on the top of the majority of pieces. They are specifically designed to be easily countable and because of this they can be used easily for maths activities.

We came across these great, printable sum sheets from The Kent Chronicles. The print quality might not be 100% but when used in combination with actual bricks (and that's the important part!) they work great. When you use actual bricks in conjunction with these sheets that's when the magic happens. It means that children are getting hands-on with numbers and unlocking what we call kinesthetic learning alongside visual learning. If you want to learn more about these learning styles there are plenty of articles out there but this Wiki link will offer more than enough info on VAKS learning.

The sheet below offers a few sums. They can add bricks together to make a total and record at the end of the line. These ideas could easily adapt to subtraction by using single bricks or single pieces.

Simply right click and save as.

The STEM Laboratory have hundreds of Lego STEM activities, I particularly like their Lego equation cards which are downloadable for free from their site.

Which house has the best roof? Perfect for LEGO STEM UK lovers!

This activity is great! Kids will especially love it because they get to play with water too!

First get the kids to build a house (they can choose the design), but make sure the roof isn't included. Their challenge is to find the best material to use to build a roof with. They could have a selection of outdoor materials (think twigs, leaves etc), different cloths, some plastic wrapping, anything you choose.

They then test, using the same amount of water each time, which roof keeps the most water out of the house.

The best part of this experiment is the opportunity to explore fair testing (using the same water and house) and recording results. There is also the chance to predict results beforehand to turn this activity into a real experiment!

Of course these experiments can get messy! So you might want to keep them confined to one particular area. This is where our Lego activity tables come into their own:

Lego Fidget Spinners

One for the technical designers! I'm loathe to include this having faced the onslaught of spinners into the classroom... but if you can't beat them join them right?!

I initially came across this build when a kid in my class brought one in from home. What I admired the most was how he explained that it didn't work at first because of a variety of reasons but after trying "for aaaaaages I got it to work." Trial and error in action, and I loved it!

The best part of this experiment is that there are so many variants and different designs. This clip from IncredibleScience showcases 5 different fidget spinners and how to make them:

If you're looking for some inspiration or just want to build then we highly recommend the Lego Awesome Ideas book by Dorling Kindsley, available from Amazon by clicking on the book cover below.

Our friends over at The Brick Castle reviewed the book when it first came out. They wrote a great review where you can see inside the book and see some of the builds in action! Head over and check out their excellent review!

Here's the book in action when a boy called Dexter explores it:

If you're just looking for a new Lego set to get started on we recommend the following 3 sets. We've picked 3 very different styles of Lego, one advanced including robotic elements which is packed full of STEM activities and ideas, one for beginners with an added search and match element, and finally a frankly brilliant Lego City set which is just brilliant for classic Lego role play. Each set is available on Amazon.co.uk, click on each picture of the set to learn more:

There are thousands more activities out there, and we'll keep sharing them, but we'll leave you with those for now. Comment below to share your favourite build ideas and more!

Pinnable image for all your sharing needs:

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https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/bedtime-stories-for-kids2017-11-04T11:10:00+00:002017-11-16T06:30:03+00:00Why are bedtime stories for kids so important?Grant Robertson
Bedtime stories for kids. There are very few people in the world who don't love to get tucked into a cosy bed and share a wholesome, enjoyable story. But why are bedtime stories for kids so important?

Now before we start, I want to reassure you that I am well aware that the vast majority of parents and carers out there wholly understand the importance of bedtime stories for kids. They enjoy sharing them, reading with their kids and spending time together. However, we are members of an ever growing screen society. In a survey I carried out in a school a surprising 42% of children spent time using a tablet or smartphone before bed rather than reading. This blog post simply aims to reaffirm the importance of bedtime stories for kids.

When talking about the importance of bedtime stories there are 4 key points that we can consider:

Cultivating imagination

Creating a bond

Encouraging a love of reading

Opening the door to writing

Cultivating imagination

When children read or when they share a bedtime story their imagination is in full flow. When we share bedtime stories with children they can be immersed in any story they are exposed to. One evening they might be joining the adventurous little mouse from The Gruffalo, the next exploring a wondrous chocolate factory with Charlie. This imagination will naturally extend into their play and enjoyment, which then naturally extends into their work at school or home.

Creating a bond

Bedtime stories for kids are just as important for them as they are for you. The time before sleep is precious; it is (in most cases) the time when everyone is beginning to wind down, it is the time when you can spend quality time together. When we share a story we share a common activity, and when we do that we create bonds together. These special bonds with your child will only be enhanced through story sharing.

Encouraging a love of reading

I could happily leave this section at that. Dr. Seuss hit the nail on the head when he was quoted saying the above. Developing a genuine love of reading is something that I have pushed in every classroom that I've been part of. Reading is not only an essential life skill but thanks to a love of reading, children will be exposed to stories and information they would not otherwise come across. With these tools in their box, they'll become more confident, assured people.

Opening the door to writing

When in the primary classroom, it is immediately obvious who the keen and regular readers are. The children who are read to, those who read themselves regularly and those who read a variety of books naturally progress quickly and enjoy the writing process. They have access to a wider vocabulary source, they learn a far greater variety of sentence structures and have a broader imagination at their disposal. Through reading, comes writing!

We'll share our favourite bedtime stories for kids in a further post but if you're looking for a change or inspiration it's definitely worth checking out Storyberries. Storyberries is run by Jade, a French-Australian writer who clearly has a passion for sharing beautifully written bedtime stories for kids. I particularly like that she has stories in collections depending on how long they take to read, meaning you can plan bedtime around them!

Whatever you read with your kids, sharing a bedtime story with them should be an enjoyable, bond-creating, loving time. It's certainly an activity I love!

We all know Lego is almost universally loved. But how can building with Lego help your children and kids learn?

Ever since I was given my first build kit as a child of 4 or 5 I was hooked. Was it the perfectly satisfying way the bricks clicked together? Could it have been the bright and engaging colours? Or was it simply the endless creations that were made possible? In this blog series we'll be exploring Lego and learning ideas.

Whatever it was that first hooked me into Lego, it has by no way abated. I talk about Lego so much at school that for an end of year present I was given 3 different small Lego sets, a Lego rubber and a Lego branded mug. My Lego love, it would seem, is infectious.

After becoming a teacher I quickly wondered how I could wind Lego into my teaching and helping kids to learn. It turns out it really wasn't difficult at all. You can pretty much use Lego for anything and everything. I'll run through a couple of ideas I used in my classroom, each of which you could just as easily do at home!

Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

One of the topics that I teach regularly to Year 3 is the Ancient Egyptians. It is by far one of the most popular topics- huge pyramids, golden pharaohs and gruesome mummification. To incorporate Lego I devised a maths/history/design lesson. The challenge was simple; work in a group, build a pyramid (with encased mummy if they so chose) and estimate the number of bricks used in total.

It was hugely successful! The kids loved the challenge of stability and quickly learnt about structural integrity when they didn't overlap bricks. These trial and error style activities enable kids to learn teamwork, perseverance and commitment to name but a few. I even had 2 groups plead to stay in rather than go to play so they could complete their models. They were proudly displayed for the duration of the topic, with many other classes being dragged in to see them.

Lego for STEM

We'll be exploring what STEM is and what it means in a further blog. A STEM activity is one that has a focus on science, technology, engineering and maths. Lego could not be more perfectly suited to STEM activities. I've found a selection of ideas and pinned them to this board. My favourite has to be the balloon race car made from Lego.

There are so many variables and experiments to do. Can you build the fastest car? Can you build a car that can carry 10 minifigures and still move? Can you build a flying car with wings? The ideas are endless.

These ideas are just the start. There are hundreds and thousands of ideas, some of which I'll continue to share. But, of course, your kids will be the driving force behind the creativity. They are the Master Builders.

What Lego should I be getting for my child?

I can understand why the world of Lego can seem overwhelming. There are literally thousands and thousands of kits. Buying the right one is an important decision. Rather than recreate a buying guide myself the rather brilliant parenting blog The Brick Castle have already done so: Link. They have heaps of experience and even have a dedicated whole section all about Lego! Expect to see more of their amazing Lego ideas featured and linked to from here!

However you use Lego I can't fail to see it being anything but beneficial for your kids and children, and frankly you'll love it too!

Quick fix Lego ideas

If you're after a ton of ideas quickly there are some great books available quickly on Amazon. Click the pictures to find out more:

The possibilities are endless

This blog post could go on forever, I could type until my fingers fell off. So rather than do that I'll compile regular posts and create an ongoing series of Lego ideas for learning. Subscribe to our newsletter to hear first when the next goes live.

Wait! ﻿Before you go, why not have a look at our selection of awesome Lego activity tables! Perfect for all of your building needs! Click on the buttons below to learn more!

Happy building!

Pinnable image for your use!

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https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/embracing-the-madness-the-boy-at-the-back-of-the-bus2017-10-17T13:11:00+01:002017-10-17T13:13:14+01:00Embracing the madness - The Boy at the Back of the Bus.Grant Robertson
As a primary school teacher I have my fair share of opportunities to enjoy the madness and crazy moments children can lead us into. Over this series of blogs I'll be sharing some of my favourite/most memorable memories.

When you have or work with kids you can't help but find yourself in some unusual situations. As parents, I'm sure you find yourselves desperately trying to find logic, and teachers are no different. But I soon learnt in my career to simply embrace the crazy.

The Boy at the Back of the Bus

I'd been planning it for weeks. School trips are one of those things that cause teachers to feel on edge for quite some time. Perhaps it could be the desperation for the kids to enjoy it but more likely it is the heightened responsibility of taking 30-40 children out into the great outdoors.

On this particular trip I was feeling smugly confident. I had all my supplies. Register, check. Lunches, check. Hi-Vis jackets x 35, check. Sick bucket, check. First aid kit, check. After the thirteenth headcount we were off.

Our voyage of discovery on this particular trip was to be to The Somerset Earth Science Centre. The centre is fantastic! As a science buff I was incredibly excited to take my class to a brilliant science classroom but furthermore we were booked in to go into the working quarry next door. As part of our Extreme Earth topic, it didn't get much more extreme than this in Somerset!

The journey to the centre and quarry meant winding our way through narrow country lanes on a far too large coach. Including the road that runs directly up Cheddar Gorge allowing an impromptu geology lesson from yours truly over the coach mic.

Click the photo for some cool drone footage of the Gorge.

It was after 20-25 minutes of further winding that my smugness began to unravel.

"Mr R! Mr R! Mr R!"

Usually these requests for attention are to ask:

Where are we?

When's lunch?

How long until we get there?

I have to say I tend to take the shouts with a pinch of salt, usually they abate.

"Mr R! Mr R! Mr R!"

They are coming in quicker succession now, this means business.

"Mr R! Mr R! Mr R!"

At this point I'm out of my seat and searching for the source of distress or attention seeking. After a short, bumpy search I find one of the boys in my class, we'll call Dan.

"Mr R! Mr R! Mr R... I feel weird"

I take this opportunity to reassure Dan that sometimes when you sit at the back of the bus it can make the bumps and winds feel worse so it's probably just a bit of travel sickness. I give him the opportunity to come to the front and sit with me. This was error number one. I shouldn't have given this as a idea, it should have been an instruction.

As I reach my seat back at the front...

"Mr R! Mr R! Mr R!"

This time I engage my brain and take the sick bucket with me. Just in case. Bouncing my way down the aisle I see Dan looking positively green. This isn't a good sign. This is action stations. With renewed haste I vaulted my way towards him, brandishing my sick bucket as a knight might his shield. With a forceful thrust I push the bucket into Dan's lap.

I've done it, even if Dan is sick he has a safe place to do so. And lucky too as Dan is instantly sick. The sheer volume and voracity (for someone who had only had cornflakes for breakfast) was awe inspiring.

Or rather it would have been, had I been able to withdraw my hand in time.

I was only able to watch in horror as my fingers became a strainer for poor Dan's vomit.

Thankfully it was a one hit wonder. The incident was over as soon as it had started, more or less. After making sure Dan was feeling better, I left him with the bucket and headed back to the front. Thankfully, there was a kind face waiting for me with a tissue. "Oh he does sometimes get car sick on long journeys," said Dan's mum.

To this day I am far more proactive with the sick bucket and leap to action at the first sign of a poorly figure. I've also worked on my reaction speeds.

The trip, as I'm sure you'll want to know, was a complete success and the children loved it.

Even Dan.

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https://edukidz.co.uk/blogs/edukidz/4-top-ways-to-encourage-writing-at-home2017-10-12T12:13:00+01:002017-11-16T07:00:44+00:004 Top Ways to Encourage Writing at HomeGrant Robertson

How can we help children learn to write at home through encouragement and support?

Being able to write is a skill which unlocks doors, opens windows and lights the way for children across the world. But how can writing as a skill be encouraged at home?

Children are expected to write, and not just write, they're expected to write at what an outsider to education would see as a high standard. Yet in the UK only 74% of children are currently meeting the expected standard at the end of Key Stage 2. That figure might seem high, and I suppose it is, but my question is immediately "what about the other 26%?" quickly followed by "should we just settle for the expected standard?"

Teachers are familiar with Ofsted's teaching standards. Whenever I see stats like this I'm reminded of standard 1; Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils. Two words particularly stand out for me there. Motivate and inspire. It is our role, not just as teachers but as all adults to motivate and inspire the next generation. In my opinion this means everyone who kids come into contact with; whether they be teachers, parents, carers, family or friends of family, everyone has their part to play.

My particular love is literacy. I love the creativity that it can unleash. The skill of writing, as I've said in the opening, allows for so many opportunities to be uncovered. So I shall focus on how we can encourage, motivate and inspire young writers at home.

1. Talk, talk, talk - I'm a huge advocate of a style of teaching called Talk for Writing, created by Pie Corbett and Julia Strong. The basis of the theory behind Talk for Writing is that before anyone can write they need to be able to verbalise what they want to write about. This just makes perfect sense to me, and whenever I'm thinking about what I want to write I will almost always (whether they want me to or not) discuss the content with anyone who'll listen. Let your kids do the same, if you listen and discuss their writing ideas they are far more likely to put them into action. I've written reams on Talk for Writing and won't get started here but if you'd like a copy of my masters research drop me a line and I'll happily share!

2. Provide supplies - Leave supplies in the areas your children are likely to come across them. Be wary of pens! Don't come looking for me if their latest poem is scrawled on your new wallpaper! By providing them with a writing area or desk you can definitely avoid this. An easel, much like these, would be just as beneficial.

3. Give them an audience - this is one of my classroom mantras, and frankly I'm sure the other staff were sick of it. If you want to encourage writing give them someone to write to/for or give it a purpose. Very rarely do we write with the purpose that no one will read it. Take Christmas for example, I imagine there are very few reluctant writers when it comes to writing letters to Father Christmas! Drop into conversation that you'd love to know how they made that Lego model and that you'd love to make one yourself one day, so could they write you some instructions? Kids love these purposeful activities!

4. Embrace the complete and utter nonsense - This isn't a classroom with specific outcomes expected. This is home. At home kids should be able to express themselves and experiment however they like. So if you receive a short piece of writing describing how Terence the Turtle went to space in his volcano rocket, be proud, your child's a writer. They might just turn out to be the next Terry Pratchett...

Writing is a joyful activity that everyone can enjoy, regardless of ability level, age or past experience. I, for one, am excited to see what the next generation produce for us to read.

What is a learning environment and how can you create one for your child at home?

A learning environment is an educational buzzword that teachers up and down the land will know well. Thankfully this isn't a phrase that is concocted out of nothing and exists for the sake of existence. The learning environment for your children is actually incredibly important, and you can create it yourself at home.

In their classrooms teachers consider a wide variety of items and tricks of the trade to get children learning without them even being aware. Subconscious learning is a bit like osmosis, that favourite GCSE biology term. By that I mean that if there is a wealth of learning opportunities surrounding the child they will naturally absorb some of the information surrounding them. Teachers achieve this by creating things like learning walls (displaying recently taught materials), making sure their classrooms are full of exciting resources and providing a wide variety of stimulating activites.

That's all well and good whilst they're at school, but why not magpie some of these techniques and bring them into your home. I'm by no means saying that you should turn their bedroom into a classroom, far from it, kids need their downtime too! I am, however, saying that every little helps... so without further ado:

Display their own creations - Children gain a huge amount of joy and pride when they can see their own work up on display. Everyone remembers when that picture made it to the fridge. It's easy to put one up and forget about it, but try and keep it fresh! Children are stimulated by praise and simply showing that you enjoy their work and think it's good enough to be displayed encourages them to keep trying.

It's not just about the walls! - Make use of all of the space available to you. Children, as all parents know, spend a lot of time on the floor... why not get them thinking whilst they're down there? Invest in a learning carpet like these provided by eduKidz, their bright colours and different shapes/letters/numbers provide a great reference point for writing and art activities.

Get outside! - When I'm teaching I take every opportunity that I can (within reason!) to get outside. It's healthy, it's exciting and also it offers a great opportunity to teach children about the world around them. My favourite activites to teach involved a pile of sticks, leaves and good old mud. You can create pretty much anything with them. Are they studying humans and animals at school? Get them to create stick skeletons! Learning about myths and legends? Build your own labyrinths! Note: Don't forget photos for the fridge and bedrooms!

Writing, writing, writing - Not all kids take to writing straight away. That's just human nature. But you shouldn't stop providing those opportunities just because they didn't initially show interest. Leave them pencils and crayons and plenty of paper in their different play areas. You never know when they might pick up a pencil and start writing! One of my more reluctant writers came proudly into school one day with a book he'd written all about his favourite pig... Inspiration strikes at anytime!

Give them a space to create - At school, they have their desks and drawers. At home, things can be a bit more spread out... by providing kids with a functional working/playing/creating space you'll allow them the familiarity that all kids crave. A desk or work table, like these provided by eduKidz, can give them that structure they need to learn.

Hopefully now you'll have a few ideas about creating your own learning environment. If you have any ideas of your own or any comments, please leave them below!